The American Heritage Dictionary describes Fascism as "A philosophy or system of government that is marked by stringent social and economic control, a strong centralized government usually headed by a dictator, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism."
The fascism that emerged in the 20th Century began in Italy under Benito Mussolini. Mussolini played on extreme nationalism during the tumultuous times following the first World War. These ideas spread through Europe and Germany became a Fascist Totalitarian Regime under Adolf Hitler in 1933, lasting until 1945 with the demise of the Nazi menace.
Adolf Hitler joined a small political party called the German Workers Party in 1919. This party expanded into the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI Party). Hitler's power grew in government becoming Chancellor January 30th, 1933. Following the Reichstag fire, set by the Nazi's, the Enabling Act was passed giving Hitler complete power within the government. Hitler dismissed all political parties. The only choice was the Nazi party. With the death of President Paul von Hindenburg in 1934 Hitler took dictatorial power as Fuhrer.
Hitler claimed that under the Third Reich, or third empire of Germany, the German 'master race' would reign for a thousand years. A bold statement as this reign of the master race only lasted about twelve years thanks to the courageous efforts of those men an women who sacrificed all in World War II.
The American Heritage Dictionary describes Fascism as "A philosophy or system of government that is marked by stringent social and economic control, a strong centralized government usually headed by a dictator, and often a policy of belligerent nationalism."
The fascism that emerged in the 20th Century began in Italy under Benito Mussolini. Mussolini played on extreme nationalism during the tumultuous times following the first World War. These ideas spread through Europe and Germany became a Fascist Totalitarian Regime under Adolf Hitler in 1933, lasting until 1945 with the demise of the Nazi menace.
Adolf Hitler joined a small political party called the German Workers Party in 1919. This party expanded into the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI Party). Hitler's power grew in government becoming Chancellor January 30th, 1933. Following the Reichstag fire, set by the Nazi's, the Enabling Act was passed giving Hitler complete power within the government. Hitler dismissed all political parties. The only choice was the Nazi party. With the death of President Paul von Hindenburg in 1934 Hitler took dictatorial power as Fuhrer.
Hitler claimed that under the Third Reich, or third empire of Germany, the German 'master race' would reign for a thousand years. A bold statement as this reign of the master race only lasted about twelve years thanks to the courageous efforts of those men an women who sacrificed all in World War II.